Can You Work For Yourself?
by Stu Watson

Oh, for the life of a free agent. No alarm clocks. No ties. No more stupid meetings.

But ... then what? Tempted by the freedoms and flash of life as an independent professional (OK, consultant), many are called but not everyone is among the chosen.

"Many people try consulting and hate it, or they enjoy a short time of tranquillity, and then they realize that living that life is difficult," says Art Langer, chair of faculty and curricular development for technology programs at Columbia University in New York.

He successfully balances his academic duties with a private consultancy. He hires himself out for software engineering work, and brings in partners when the work requires.

One is Michael Drapkin, whose company, Drapkin Technology, places tech consultants. In that capacity, he fills a huge need for people who favor working as consultants but don't want to mess with all the business chores — marketing, billing, payroll — of a sole proprietorship.

Realistic expectations are key to making it as a consultant.

"They don't become wealthy," Langer says. "They can do well, but they won't make $10 million or $100 million. It's not like running a venture and selling it. Consultants are committing themselves to working, as opposed to making the Big Bang."

Key Motivators and Attributes

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